No Students, No Schools: Himachal Govt Shuts 100+ Schools with Zero Enrollment, Merges Over 120 Low-Enrollment Schools
Shimla, July 29:
In a move to restructure its education system, the Himachal Pradesh Sukhu government has shut down all government schools with zero student enrollment.
According to a fresh notification issued by the state education department, 72 government primary schools (GPS) and 28 government middle schools (GMS) across the state have been de-notified with immediate effect in public interest.
What's the issue?
The state education department found dozens of government-run schools operating without a single enrolled student.
In an effort to optimize resources and enhance efficiency in the education sector, these schools have now been officially shut.
Total Schools De-notified:
Primary Schools (GPS): 72
Middle Schools (GMS): 28
Districts most affected include Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Chamba, and Kinnaur, extending up to the remotest corners like Lahaul-Spiti and Pooh in tribal regions.
What about schools with very few students?
The government has also merged over 120 schools with 5 or fewer students into nearby functional schools. These include primary schools from districts like Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kullu, Mandi, Sirmaur, Solan, Una, and Shimla.
Why is the government doing this?
“This decision has been taken in public interest to ensure effective utilization of resources and improve the quality of education,” said Education Secretary Rakesh Kanwar in the official notification.
Sources in the department told us, “Schools with no students but with staff and infrastructure were just wasting state funds. It makes no sense to keep them running.”
Mixed Reactions on the Ground
While the state government claims this move is a step towards quality education and better management, some local panchayats and education activists have criticized the decision, saying it could affect access to education in remote rural and tribal areas where schools often serve as the only learning hubs within walking distance.
Is this part of a larger education reform?
Experts believe this may be the beginning of a broader restructuring of Himachal’s school education model, where efficiency, performance, and smart resource allocation will be the focus.
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